Ignition apparatus



E. A. HALBLEIB AND T. L. LEE.

IGNITION APPARATUS.

y APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. 1917.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

16 lsf 15 E. A. HALBLEIB AND T. L. LEE.

IGNITION APPARATUS.

APPUCATION FILED MAR. 7. |917.

1,386,779 Patented Aug. 9, 1921.y

2 SHEETs-sHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. HALBLEIB AND THOMAS L LEE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO NORTH EAST ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK.

IGNITION APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aue'. 9, 1921.

T 0 all whom. it may concern.'

Be it known that we, EDWARD A. HALB- LEIB and THOMAS L. LEE, citizens of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition Apparatus; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full., clear, and exact description of the invention, suoli 'as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to electrical ignition-apparatus for internal-combustion engines, and particularly to the means for automatically timing the ignition in accordance with the speed at which the engine is operated.

In ignition-apparatus it is common to employ a device. in the nature of a centrifugal governor, interposed in the driving-connections between the engine and the electric cirl cuit-controller of the ignition-apparatus. by which the time of ignition in the cycle of operations of the engine is automatically ad-A vanced as the speed of the engine increases. The general object of the present invention is to improve automatic timing-devices of the kind in question. and the general arrange.- ment and construction of ignition-apparatus including such automatic timing-devices. A more specific. object of the invention-is to produce an automatic. timing-device which may be conveniently adjusted to secure the exact ratio of advance to engine-speed, throughout the entire range of operation of the apparatus, `which experience, demonstrates to be most desirable in any particular engine with which the apparatus may be used.

To the foregoing end a feature of the invention resides in a novel arrangement of the parts employed for controlling the outward movement of the centrifugal weightor weights by which the advance is automatically secured. In accordance with the present invention such outward movement is rendered effective through 'cam-connections between the centrifugal weight and one of the relatively movable controller-actuating members with which thel weight is connected, and the spring by which the outward movenient of the weight is resisted is so arranged and connected with the other parts of the apparatus that its effect upon the weight is regulated, in different positions of the weight, by the form of the cam. In this manner, by a. suitable formation of the cam, the spring may be caused to oppose movement of the weight in a degree varying in any required manner with the outward movement of the weight, so that the changes in the centrifugal force of the weight which are due to the varying distance of the weight from the center of rotation may be effectively compensated for, in such a manner as to secure the desired result.

Another object of the invention is to produce an automatic timing-device, for the purpose in question, in which the parts which control its action. particularly the spring which resists the outward movement of the centrifugal weight, and the cam which regulates the effect of this movement. are convenientlyy accessible for adjustment v'or replacement, and to this end the invention comprises an automatic timing-device having the relative arrangement ot' partsI hereinafter more particularly described.

Another object of the invention is to produce an ignition-apparatus. of the kind in question.l in which the horizontal drive-shaft b v which the apparatus is connected with the engine. and the vertical shaft by which the circuit-controllcr is immediately actuated, are so associated with an automatic timingdevce, interposed in the connections between these shafts` and with a housing inclosing these connections and the timing-device, as to produce an apparatus which is compact and conveniently accessible. To thisy end the invention comprises a relative arrangement of the parts just enumerated which is hereinafter described and claimed.

Other Vobjects of the invention, and the features of construction by which they are attained. willbe set forth hereinafter in connection with the description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is av plan-view, on a reduced scale, of ignition-apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side-elevation. iartly in vertical section on the line 2-2 in `ig. l, but on a larger scale than the latter figure and with the spark-coil omitted; Fig. 3 is a front-elevation of the automatic timing-device` with the parts in the normalposition of rest; Fig. 4 is a rear-elevation of the automatic timingdevice,lin section on the line 4 4 in Fig. 2,

with the parts in the same position as in Fig. 3; Figs. 5 and 6 correspond, respectively, to Figs. 3 and 4, except that they show the parts in a position assumed when in rotation; and F ig. 7 is a side-elevation of the automatic timing-device, together with the worm or spiral gear actuated thereby.

The complet-e apparatus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a casing 10 within which is inclosed a circuit-controller of any ordinary or suitable form, the rotary members 11 of the circuit-controller being shown, in

' dotted lines, as of a form commonly employed in connection with a combined primary-circuit interrupter and secondary distributer.

The circuit-controller is actuated by a vertical shaft 12, upon which a helical gear or worm-wheel 13 is fixed. This gear meshes with a helical gear or worm 14, which is mounted upon a horizontal drive-shaft 15. The drive-shaft is journaled in bearings in a sleeve 16, which is integral with a housing 17 which incloses the gears and supports the casing 10 and the bearing (not shown) of the shaft 12. The rear end of the drive-shaft 15 may beconnected with a shaft or other rotary member of the engine in connection with which the ignition-apparatus is emplo ed.

he automatic timing-device constituting a feature of the present invention is inclosed` within the housing 17, and constitutes the driving-connection between the shaft 15 and the gear 14. This gear is keyed to a sleeve 18 which turns loosely on the shaft 15, andv the sleeve is provided with two integral, op-

positely-projecting arms 19, in which for-- wardly-projecting pivot-studs 2() are fixed. Mounted upon thesey studs are two centrifugal weights 21, of crescent-like form, each weight being provided with perforated ears, at one end, which embrace the corresponding pivot-stud.

The weights are revolved by`connection with a plate '22, which has a hub by which it is keyed and fixed to the drive-shaft 15, so as to be rotated thereby. Each weight 21 is provided with a forwardly-projectlng Vstud 24, extending into one of the openings 23 and carrying a roller 25. One side of each opening 23 is formed as a cam, to cooperate with the corresponding roller 25. The cam-surface is curved* so as to comprise a portion 26, nearer the axis of rotation,

which is approximately radial, while the portion 27 more remote from the axis of rotation gradually approximates a line concentric with this axis. The roller is located approximately at the middle of the length of the weight, so that it constitutes a fulcrum on which the centrifugal force of the weight is substantially balanced.

The centrifugal force to which the weights 21 are subjected causes them to swing outwardly about their pivots 20, so as to move the rollers 25 along the cam-surfaces just describedand toward the outer or more remote portion thereof. This movement is re-' sisted, however, by helical tension-springs 30. One end of each spring is attached to a post 28 which projects'forwardly from the free end of one of the weights, through an opening in the plate 22, while the other end of the spring is attached to a stud 31 projecting forwardly from the plate.

Upon reference to Fig. 3 it will be apparent that when the weights loccupy their innermost position,- corresponding to the lowest speed of'rotation, the pull of each spring, owing to the relative positions of the corresponding post 28 and the stud 31, is in a direction nearly normal to the part 26 of the cam with Whlch the corresponding roller. 25 is in engagement, so that during the first part of the outward movement of the weight only acomparatively slight elongation of the spring occurs, and therefore the resistance of the spring to such outward movement is comparatively slight. As the rollertraverses the outer part 27 of ythe cam-surface, on the other hand, the direction of movement of the roller, as controlled by the cam, approaches a line approximately parallel with the length of the spring, so`

useful in securing a rate of advance which' has been found desirable in connection with most automobile engines, namely, one in which the rate of advance is rapid through the lower ranges of speed of the engine, but falls off quickly in the upper ranges of speed.

An advantage of the construction specifically described resides in the `accessibility of the automatic timing-device. The housing 17 is provided with a removable cover 32, whichv affords direct access tothe timingdevice without disturbance of any part of the mechanism. The springs 30 are provided with hooked ends, which may be readily detached from the posts and studs with which they Iare engaged, and owing to the position of the springs in front of the plate 22, they may be readily removed and replaced. This affords convenient provision for introducing springs of a strength suitable for any particular installation in which the ignition-apparatus is employed.

VThe plate 22 may also be conveniently rei moved and replaced with another having paratus. As shown in Fig. 2 the plate hasl a hub which is keyed to the end of the driveshaft, and is fixed againstendwise movement thereon by a lock-nut 33.. Upon removing the .springs 30 and the nut 33 the plate may be withdrawn and another substituted. l;

In Fig. 1 the complete apparatus is shown as including a spark-coil 34 which is mounted, for convenience, upon the 'cover 32. This feature of the apparatus constitutes no part of the invention disclosed and claimed herein. p, l

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus in which the automatic advance is produced by relative rotation of the shaft 15 and the gear 14, it willube understood that other modes of relative movement may be employed for the same purpose, and that the in vention is not, in general, limited to the embodimentv thereof hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawin s. l c g.lhe invention claimed is:v

1.'Iii ignition apparatus, an automatic timing-device comprising a driving-member. and a driven member arranged to rotate together but relatively movable; a centrifugal weight movably mounted on one of said members; a carmconnection, between the weight and the second of said members, for

causing relative movement of the members when the weight moves outwardly; and spring-connections, also between the weight and said second "member, arranged to resist the relative movement of the weight and said member. f

.12. In ignition apparatus, an automaticv timing-device comprising a driving-member and a driven member ,arran ed to rotate ltogether Abut relatively mova le; a centrifugal weight movably mounted on one' of said members; a cam-connection, between 'the weight .and the second of said members,

for causing ielative movement of the meinbers when the weight moves outwardl and a. spring, cooperating with the -weig t and said second `member,'to` resist the relative movement of the weight and said member, the spring being arranged to /act in a direction which approaches parallelism with the direction of sucli relativemovement as the weight moves outwardly.

3. Ignition ap aratus comprising a liorizoiital drive-sha t arranged for connection,

rat one end, with'an engine-shaft; a gear- 'member loosely mounted on the drive-shaft; an automatic centrifugal timing-device connecting said gear-member rotatively with the drive-shaft and mounted on saidshaft between said gear-member and the other end of'said shaft; a vertical shaft; a gearmember, on the vertical shaft, meshing with said gear-member on the drive-shaft; a circuit-controller actuated by the vertical shaft; and a housing inclosing the gearmembers andthe timing-device and having a cover-plate removable to affordv direct ac-v cess'to the timing-device without disturbance of the other parts.

4. In ignition apparatus, an automatic timing-device comprising a rotary drivingmember and a rotary driven member, one of said members havingpthe form of a shaft and the other having the form of a gear loosely mounted on the shaft; a cam attached to one ofvsaid members; a centrifugal weight pivoted to the other of said members and provided with a follower engaging said cam; and a spring connecting the weight and the cam-attached member and acting to resist outward movement of the weight. 4

l5. In ignition apparatus, an automatic timing-device comprising a rotary drivingmember and a rotary driven member, .one of said members having the form of a shaft and the other having the form of a gear loosely mounted on the shaft; a plate fixed to the' shaft and provided with cam-open-n ings; centrifugal Weights located between said plate and said gear and vpivotal'ly connected with the gear; cam-followers, on the weights, projecting .into engagement with said cam-openings in the plate;l and helical springs located on the opposite side of the plate from the weights,- and substantially parallel with the late, each spring being removably attached at one end, to the plate and, at the other end, to one of the weights.

6. In ignition apparatus, an automatic timing-device com rising two coaxial 'rotary members, of w ich one is provided with a cam-surface; a centrifugal weight pivoted, near one end, to the other of said members; a spring connecting the' weight, near its other end, with the rotary member which is rovided with the cam-surface; and a roller, ]urnaled on the weight substantially at the centrifugal center of the Weight and cooperating with said cam-surface.

v7. In ignition apparatus, .an automatic -ber xed to the shaft and provided with a cam-surface; a centrifugal Weight located between the cam-member and the gear and pivotally connected with the gear; a camv follower, on the weight, projecting into en-f gagement with said cam-surface; and a helical spring located on the op osite sideof the cam-member from the weig t, and substan-` tially parallel with the plane of revolution of the Weight, the spring being' .removably attached at one end, to the cam-member and, at the other end, to the Weight.

S. In ignition apparatus, an automatic timing-device comprising a driving-member and a driven member arranged to rotate together but relatively movable; a centrifugal weight movably mounted on one of said members; connections, between the AWeight and the second of said members, for causing,r relative rotation of said members as the Weight moves outwardly; and a springr conneeting the Weight and said Second member, to resist the relative movement of the weight and said member, the spring being arranged to act in a direction which approaches parallelism With the direc-tion of such relative movement as the Weight moves outwardly.

EDWARD A. HALBLEIB. THOMAS L. LEE. 

